Xhol - Motherf*ckers GMBH & Co KG. 1972 Germany

One year after Electrip, the band changed their name to simply Xhol to avoid confusion with the more famous British band. Their followup, Motherf*ckers GMBH & Co. KG, demonstrates the band's total defiance towards anything resembling standard convention. The album was shelved and not released until 1972 (by the legendary underground Ohr label), hence the "2 Years Old" written across the cover. Immediately the listener will note that Xhol had clearly moved away from their fusion roots to a more challenging avant-garde electronic approach. The highlight for me is the haunting 16 1/2 minute combined compositions of 'Orgel Solo' & 'Side 1 First Day', which could've just as easily been on Tangerine Dream's groundbreaking Electronic Meditation album. In fact, much of this album has the feel of the true Krautrock underground, one that successfully mixes avant-garde electronic structures with the psychedelic rock sounds and energy of the era. The primary instruments here are flute and organ, with plenty of hand percussion thrown in. Overall, it's a psychedelic feast! The odd tune out is the 13 minute insane version of 'Love Potion 25', not exactly what one would call a cover tune of the old classic!

Ownership: LP: 1972 Ohr. Picked up the LP online in the 1999/2000 time frame. Single sleeve that leaves much to be desired. Sold the basic Spalax CD, as it didn't offer anything new.

3/23/01 (Gnosis) 

Xhol - Hau-RUK. 1971 Germany

Here we find Xhol, as my imagination will have it mind you, in some smoky club in Hamburg, preferably on the Reeperbahn in the St. Pauli District. Organ and electric sax rule the roost here and no one gets to leave the club until they start seeing inanimate objects move. Psychedelic jazz blues is where it's at - especially on the sublime 'Breit'. The Garden of Delights CD is the way to go here since it introduces us to the 20 minute bonus track 'Suden twi Westen'. This track was recorded in 1974 with Hansi Fisher (of Embryo) on flute along with future Missus Beastly bassist Norman Domling. It's quite possibly the best piece Xhol ever did (and that's saying something!) and I didn't realize that Xhol were still active this late in the game. Highly recommended.

Personal collection
CD: 2002 Garden of Delights
LP: 1971 Ohr

I did once own the original LP, but traded it away for something presumably better. What that was, I cannot say. I want it back.

RUK really is an acronym, and stands for Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser. Obvious now, isn't it?

Originally reviewed: August 2005

Xhol - Altena 1970. Germany (archival)

Like with Soft Machine, Xhol has a tremendous amount of interesting archival material, given their improvisational nature. Similarly, they suffer from the same problem as the Softs do, and that is many of these releases run into each other. If you are to only obtain one I'd suggest the Motherf*ckers Live set (1968-1969) from United Durtro. But if wanting more of that vintage Krautrock jazz rock sound, live and in color, Altena 1970 is a fine representative. It meanders and wanders for much of its duration, but that's what the concert ticket bought you. Authentic to the core.

Personal collection
CD: 2006 Garden of Delights

Garden of Delights is to be commended for their relentless efforts to release so much material from the great Xhol Caravan. The CD gives you the maximum amount of minutes, and there's a wealth of historical info in the liner notes.